Athletics/Activities Handbook

Minnesota State High School League rules govern all eligibility for participation and are available in the Activities Office. These rules apply to all activities for boys and girls.

These training rules and rules related to student code of conduct shall be read and explained to each group prior to or on the first day of organized practice.

A firm and fair policy of enforcement is necessary to uphold the regulations and standards of the Activities Department. The community, school administrators, and staff feel strongly that high standards of conduct, behavior and citizenship are essential in maintaining a sound program of activities. The member schools of the Minnesota State High School League believe that participation in interscholastic activities is a privilege which is accompanied by responsibility.

In order to participate in a South St. Paul Secondary co-curricular activity, each participant must make satisfactory academic progress.

To be eligible for participation a student must meet a 1.70 GPA criterion the previous marking period. A student who has failed to meet the 1.70 GPA criterion will be placed on academic probation and will be ineligible to participate in co-curricular contests and/or performances, according to the following conditions:

1. The student is permitted to practice or rehearse, but may not compete or perform in a contest or performance during the period of academic probation.
2. The student is ineligible for whichever is greater: two consecutive interscholastic contests or two weeks (fourteen calendar days) of the new marking period.*

Following the period of ineligibility, if a review of the student’s academic performance indicates that the student is performing at a satisfactory level, eligibility may be regained. If the review indicates the student is failing to meet the 1.70 GPA criterion, he or she cannot regain eligibility until the end of the grading period.

Scholastic Eligibility Calendar for 2025-26

First Trimester Date (for winter eligibility)
Monday, December 15, 2025

Second Trimester Date (for spring eligibility)
Monday, March 23, 2026

Third Trimester Date (for fall eligibility)
Monday, June 22, 2026

Student Code of Responsibilities

Participation in interscholastic activities is a privilege which is accompanied by responsibility. As a student participating in League sponsored activities, I understand and accept the following responsibilities:

1. I will respect the rights and beliefs of others and will treat others with courtesy and consideration.
2. I will be fully responsible for my own actions and the consequences of my actions.
3. I will respect the rights and property of others.
4. I will respect and obey the rules of my school and the laws of my community, state and country.
5. I will show respect to those who are responsible for enforcing the rules of my school and the laws of my community, state and country.

Chemical Health

At any time during the calendar year, a student shall not, regardless of the quantity:

1. Use or consume, have in possession a beverage containing alcohol;
2. Use or consume, have in possession tobacco; or,
3. Use or consume, have in possession, buy, sell or give away any other controlled substance or drug paraphernalia.
4. Use or consume, have in possession, buy, sell or give away products containing or products used to deliver nicotine, tobacco products and other chemicals. “Tobacco products” means: any product containing, made, or derived from tobacco that is intended for human consumption, whether chewed, smoked, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, snorted, sniffed, or ingested by any other means, or any component, part or accessory of a tobacco product.
5. Use or consume, have in possession, buy sell or give away any substance or product where the intent of such use of the substance or product is to induce intoxication, excitement, or stupefaction of the central nervous system, except under the direction and supervision of a medical doctor. Such substances or products shall include, but are not limited to, synthetic drugs, gasoline, glue, aerosol devices, bath salts, and any substances addressed by Minnesota or Federal Law.

Penalties for Category I Activities

Definition: Those League-sponsored activities in which a member school has a schedule of interscholastic contests, exclusive of League-sponsored tournaments.

• Athletic Activities
• Fine Arts Activities
  • Debate
  • Speech Activities including One Act Play - when a school schedules a season of interscholastic contests.

First Violation Penalty
The student shall lose eligibility for the next two consecutive interscholastic contests or two weeks, 14 calendar days, whichever is greater, of a season in which the student is a participant.

Second Violation Penalty
The student shall lose eligibility for the next six consecutive interscholastic contests or three weeks, 21 calendar days, whichever is greater, in which the student is a participant.

Third or Subsequent Violation Penalty
The student shall lose eligibility for the next 12 consecutive interscholastic contests or four weeks, 28 calendar days, whichever is greater, in which the student is a participant.

A student who chooses to become a participant in a treatment program may become eligible for participation after a minimum period of six weeks after entering treatment if all of the following conditions are met:

• The student is assessed as chemically dependent,
• Enters treatment voluntarily, and
• The director of the treatment center certifies that the student has successfully completed the treatment program.
• The treatment option cannot be used for the first or second violation. Successful completion of a chemical dependency treatment program will satisfy only the most recent violation. Any other violations for which the penalty has not been satisfied must still be served in full.

Applying the Penalty

1. Penalties shall be progressive beginning with the student’s first violation and continuing throughout the student’s high school career. Penalties shall be served consecutively.
2. Violation Confirmation Definition: The violation shall be confirmed when the administrator responsible for the athletics/activities program has informed the student that the student has violated a bylaw and is now under the penalty. The notification shall be verbal and also in writing.
3. Counting Weeks:
   • The weeks shall begin on the date that the violation is confirmed by the school administrator and extend for the required number of calendar days.
   •  For the purpose of this bylaw, a week is seven calendar days. The week starts the date the violation is confirmed and the student/student’s parents or guardians are notified.
   • At the beginning of the season, practice and conditioning weeks are counted.
   • The student must participate in and complete the entire season in which the penalty has been applied for the penalty to count. As examples: a student cannot begin participation in a program at the start of the season, serve the penalty and then quit after the suspension has been served; nor can a student join a program after the season has begun, and serve the penalty.
4. A student who is under penalty for a violation of a League bylaw may not join a second sport in the same season in order to fulfill a penalty.
5. Practices, jamborees, inter-school scrimmages and previews are not interscholastic contests and may not be counted, however, the student is eligible to participate.
6. A student who participates in both Category I and Category II activities shall serve the penalty prescribed for that violation in both Category I and Category II activities in which the student participates.
7. Denial Disqualification: A student shall be disqualified from all interscholastic athletics for nine additional weeks beyond the student’s original period of ineligibility when the student denies violation of the rule is allowed to participate and then is subsequently found guilty of the violation.

Penalties for Category II Activities

Definition - Category II Activities: Those League-sponsored activities in which a member school does not have a schedule of interscholastic contests, exclusive of League-sponsored tournaments.

Fine Arts Activities

1. Speech activities including One Act Play when a school schedules no interscholastic contests and participates only in the League-sponsored tournament series.
2. Music Activities.
3. Visual Arts Activities.

Each member school shall develop penalties which will apply to the participants in these activities. A copy of the member school’s policy shall be filed in the activities office.

Additional Consequences
Any South St Paul student who violates the policies for Chemical Health or Code of Conduct will be ineligible to earn the VFW honor Awards at the end of their senior year. A student who has a chemical violation or a student who have a Code of Conduct violation will not be eligible to serve in any leadership capacity such as captain for one full calendar year from the date of the violation.

Any student who is found to be in violation of the MSHSL by-law will lose their captaincy and will not be eligible to be a captain for one full calendar year.

Parents will be asked to sign the athletic or activities code of responsibilities form, along with the student, to indicate an understanding and willingness to abide by the rules and regulations of South St. Paul High School and the Minnesota State High School League.

All of the South St. Paul Public Schools policies can be found on the District's website at http://www.sspps.org, under the tab for "District Policies." Students should pay particular attention to the policies in Section 500 which specifically pertains to students. Questions regarding policies can be directed to the building administrator.

In addition to the policies and rules established by the Activities Department governing organizations, the department has established a set of standard operating policies. These rules and policies are articulated below.

A. Reference Bylaw 209.00

A student shall not engage in the sexual, racial, religious harassment, violence or hazing during the school year or any portion of an activity season that occurs prior to the start of the school year or after the close of the school year.

B. Reporting Procedures:

1. Any person who believes he or she has been the victim of sexual, racial, religious harassment, violence or hazing or any person with knowledge or belief of conduct, which may constitute hazing, shall report the alleged acts immediately to an appropriate school district official designated by this policy.
2. The building principal is the person responsible for receiving reports of sexual, racial, religious harassment, violence or hazing at the building level. Any person may report hazing directly to a school district human rights officer or to the superintendent.
3. Teachers, administrators, officials, volunteers, and employees of the school district shall be particularly alert to possible situations, circumstances or events which might include sexual, racial, religious harassment, violence or hazing. Any such person who receives a report of, observes, or had other knowledge or belief of conduct, which may constitute sexual, racial, religious harassment, violence or hazing, shall inform the building principal immediately.
4. Submission of a good faith complaint or report of sexual, racial, religious harassment, violence or hazing will not affect the complainant or reporter’s future employment, grades or work assignments.

C. Reprisal

The school district will discipline or take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, volunteer, coach, official contractor or employee of the school district who retaliates against any person who makes a good faith report of alleged sexual, racial, religious harassment, violence or hazing or against any person who testifies, assists, or participates in an investigation, or against any person who testifies, assists or participates in a proceeding or hearing relating to such sexual, racial, religious harassment, violence or hazing. Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, any form of intimidation, reprisal or harassment.

D. Penalties for Category I Activities

1. First Violation: the student shall lose eligibility for the next two (2) consecutive interscholastic contests or two (2) weeks, 14 calendar days, of a season in which the student is a participant, whichever is greater.
Recommendations:

• It is recommended that the school develop a local education program through which the student would receive information about sexual, racial, religious harassment, violence or hazing.
• It is recommended that, when appropriate, the school refer a student to a community agency or a professional individual outside the school for counseling.

2. Second Violation: the student shall lose eligibility for the next six (6) consecutive interscholastic contests or three (3) weeks, 21 calendar days, whichever is greater, in which the student is a participant.
Recommendation: It is recommended that before being re-admitted to activities following suspension for the second violation, the student shall show evidence in writing that the student has received counseling from a community agency or professional individual such as a school counselor, medical doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist.

3. Third or Subsequent Violations: the student shall lose eligibility for the next twelve (12) consecutive interscholastic contests or four (4) weeks, 28 calendar days, whichever is greater, in which the student is a participant.

4. Penalties are progressive and consecutive.

E. Penalties for Category II Activities

Each member school shall develop penalties that it will apply to the participants in these activities. A current copy of the member school’s policy shall be kept on file in the member school.

Participation
A student may participate in more than one activity per season. Participation in more than one activity per season requires the approval of the all coaches or advisors involved.

Lettering
Special School District #6 and South Saint Paul Secondary School value student accomplishments. Students will be recognized in our community for outstanding effort, positive contributions, and exemplary achievement. Students at South Saint Paul have the opportunity to earn a varsity letter in the arts, academics, service, and athletics. Earning a letter is a significant accomplishment! South Saint Paul Secondary School reserves the right for Head Coaches and Advisors to determine specific lettering policies for their activity. Coaches and Advisors will develop and communicate baseline expectations that incorporate, but are not limited to, the following components: academics, behavior, participation, and citizenship/community service. These requirements must be given in writing to all team members and their parents and explained fully at the start of the season. Athletics, Arts, and Activities programs can award varsity letters if they are sanctioned and recognized competitions by the MSHSL, Metro East Conference, or similar governing body with regulatory, governing control over competition of individuals or teams representing South Saint Paul (i.e. MN Adapted Athletics Association, MN High School Bowling League). Any other South Saint Paul club or activity that wishes to award letters must request a review by the Activities Director two weeks prior to the start of their season.

Dropping or Transferring Activities
On occasion, a participant may find it necessary to drop an activity for good reason. In this case, the following procedure shall be followed: (1) Consult with your immediate coach or advisor, (2) Report your situation to the Activities Office, (3) Check in all equipment issued to you. If a participant wishes to change activities during a season, or after having won an award in one activity and he or she wishes to change activities, he or she shall consult with the coach or advisor concerned and the Activities Office. This procedure assures a smooth transfer which is in the best interest of the student.

Attendance
Students who miss part of the school day due to illness must be in attendance by 9:57am in order to participate in a contest or practice on that day. Students missing school for reasons other than illness must have an excused absence in order to participate. A parent or guardian signed note from home (due to illness) is not an excused absence.

Any student that is marked with an unexcused absence is not be able to practice or play in a game once the unexcused absence is verified. Students that also have multiple tardies in a day will be withheld from participation as well.
Students that have earned a detention for an unexcused absence or multiple tardies will need to fulfill their detention obligations before they are able to participate in their after-school activity.

Students who are in attendance at the start of the school day will not be allowed to participate in any extra-curricular activities if the student leaves school due to personal illness.

Final authority for infractions of this rule will rest with the overseeing administration. Examples of excused absences: doctor excused, family emergency, death in family, school authorized absences (i.e. field trips, college visits, etc...), religious release and family vacations.

Equipment
School equipment checked out by the student participant is his or her responsibility. He or she is expected to keep it clean and in good condition. Loss of any equipment is the participant’s and/or the participant’s parent or legal guardian’s financial obligation.

Missing Practice
A participant should always consult his or her coach or advisor before missing a practice or contest. Missing a practice or contest without good reason will be dealt with severely. Missing practice for academic reasons is an excused absence as long as the student notifies the coach or advisor in advance. At the discretion of the coach or advisor, excused absences may affect participation if the safety of the student or other participants is compromised.

Travel
All participants must complete and sign the School District’s Transportation Agreement Form prior to participation. Participants must travel to and from out-of-town contests in transportation provided by the school unless prior arrangements are made by the parents or legal guardians for exceptional situations. Participants will only be permitted to leave out-of-town contest or events with their parents or legal guardians if a signed parent or guardian note is turned in to the Activities Office by noon of the day of the event. If the event is on a Saturday, the deadline will be Friday at noon. A duplicate copy will be forwarded to the coach or advisor.
Participants will remain with their squad and under the supervision of the coach or advisor when attending away contests. Participants who do not ride on the team bus will not be allowed to participate in the contest unless there are extenuating circumstances as determined by the overseeing administration. All regular school bus rules will be followed.

Early Dismissal
In situations that require a team that needs to be excused from school, the coach or advisor will work with the school administration on setting a release time that has the least negative impact on academic class time and provides adequate warm-up preparation for competition.

Release from Class
While we do not encourage students to be excused from class for student activities, situations do arise where it is unavoidable. It is the responsibility of the participant to see their teacher the day before they miss class because of a contest. All work shall be made up at the convenience of the teacher.

Grooming and Dress Policy
A member of a team is expected to be well-groomed as established and defined by the coach or advisor of the individual activity.

Multiple Activities
An individual student who attempts to participate in several activities will undoubtedly experience a conflict of obligations. The Activities Department recognizes that each student should have the opportunity for a broad range of experiences in the area of activities, and to this end will attempt to schedule events in a manner to minimize conflicts. Students have a responsibility to do everything they can to avoid continuous conflicts. This would include being cautious about belonging to too many activities where conflicts are bound to happen. It also means notifying the coaches or advisors involved immediately when a conflict does arise.

When a conflict arises, the coaches or advisors will work out a solution so the student does not feel caught in the middle. If a solution cannot be found, the overseeing administration will make the decision based on the following: (1) the relative importance of each event, (2) the importance of each event to the student, (3) the relative contribution the student can make, (4) how long each event has been scheduled, (5) talk with parents.

Once the decision has been made and the student has followed that decision, he or she will not be penalized by any coach and/or advisor. If it becomes obvious that a student cannot fulfill the obligation of a school activity, he or she should withdraw from the activity.

Vacation Policy
Vacations by the participants during an activity season are discouraged. Parents or guardians and participants wishing to do so may wish to reassess their commitment to being a participant. In the event of an absence due to a vacation is unavoidable, a participant must: (1) be accompanied by his or her parents or guardians while on vacation, (2) contact the coach or advisor prior to the vacation, (3) be willing to assume the consequences related to their status in that activity.

Communication
Communication is an essential part of any successful co-curricular program. To facilitate quality communication, each program will host a pre-season parent meeting. During this meeting, the following information will be shared with those in attendance:

1. Introduction of staff
2. Explanation of policies and rules for the given activity, by the coach or advisor. This is done with a handout and will include the programs specific information related to lettering, attendance, etc.
3. A calendar of the upcoming season including games, practices, and special events.
4. A review of the MSHSL forms and the rules relating to the participation in the program.

The pre-season parent meeting also provides an opportunity for all participants and their parents to have any questions answered relative to the administration of a program.

Conflict Resolution
Due to the nature of the programs we facilitate through our department, there are times when conflict will take place between the individuals involved. We encourage an open line of communication between the school, students, parents, coaches, and advisors. All coaches and advisors are required to have a pre-season meeting to explain rules and policies to the participants and their parents. If questions arise, we ask that the student or parent first contact the coach or advisor.

In order to resolve expressions of difference that often occur in activities, an orderly communication procedure has been developed.

Conflicts should not be addressed during or immediately following an event. The contest site, practice site, school lobby, or locker rooms are not appropriate places to resolve conflict. Most conflicts are better resolved after an appropriate cooling down period. If you have a concern, please call or arrange for a meeting on the following work day.

The following steps will be taken in order for the conflict to be resolved:

1. First Action: The student-athlete should talk directly to the coach or coaches themselves- this is a valuable part of the learning, development, and maturing process. This step may not apply in all situations depending on the nature of the conflict.
If the problem is not resolved…

2. Second Action: A meeting between the participant, the coach or advisor, and/or the parents should be called. This meeting can be initiated by the participant, the parents, the coach or advisor, but does not have to involve all of these parties.

3. Third Action: If any party still feels that the conflict is unresolved, a meeting between the parents, the coach or advisor, and the Activities Director may be called. The participant need not be present. An individual meeting to gain the perspective of the participant may be solicited. Notes of the meeting will be kept by the Activities Director. The Activities Director will send out a list of findings and recommendations to those involved no later than one week after the meeting. A copy of all communications will be given to the High School or Middle School Principal.

4.Fourth Action: The matter can be referred to the High School or Middle School Principal if a conflict still exists.

Many high school student athletes aspire to play sports beyond the high school level. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has established academic and amateur credentials for all students who want to play sports at an NCAA Division I or II institution as a freshman. YOU MUST START TO PLAN EARLY - FRESHMAN GRADES COUNT.

What are the academic initial-eligibility requirements?

The following requirements must be met in order for a student to be able to practice, play and receive a scholarship at an NCAA Division I or II college or university.

Division I:

1. Graduate from High School
2. Complete a minimum of 16 core cores
3. Present the required grade point average (GPA)
4. Present a qualifying test score on either the ACT or SAT
5. Complete an amateurism questionnaire and request final amateur certification

Core Academic Course Breakdown (All courses must appear on the South St Paul list of Approved Core Courses)

• 4 years of English
• 3 years of math (Algebra 1 or higher)
• 2 years of natural or physical science (including one year of lab science)
• 1 extra year of English, math, or natural or physical science
• 2 years of social science
• 4 years of extra core courses from any category above, or foreign language, non-doctrinal/comparative religion/philosophy.

Academic eligibility is determined by using a sliding scale that matches Grade Point Averages for the Core Courses with ACT or SAT scores. A student/athlete must have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) for the 16 courses of 2.00. With a 2.0 GPA a student then must have a minimum SAT score of 1010 or ACT score of 86. (A student with a 3.0 GPA would need test scores of 620 or 52).

More information is available in the Activities Office.